The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-22
XLIXth CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.


WASHINGTON. Jan. Il.
Mr.. COlQuitt, in presenting petition from
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Of the District of Columbia, said that he as
sumed no responsibility for the startling
facts revealed in the petition, but he did
answer for the pure motives and high char
acter of those who had laid it before the
Senate. The petition was bold and aggres-
sive, and challenged an investigation OF the
facts 1t was plea which the mothers and
wives made to the Senate for protection
against such an excess OF vice and laWless-
ness as should not only alarm, but humiliate
the Senate. They could never disregard the
voice Of woman raised in behalf of social
purity and public virtue. He asked that the
petition be read at length. and referred to
to the district committee. The petition was
read. 1t charges the commissioners of the
District of Columbia with disregarding the
purity, safety and moral interests and rights
of the people, and asserts that in direct vio-
lations of law, they have been for months
past permitting and protecting gambling
hells, pool rooms, drinking establishments,
as well as dens of prostitution and vice, and
giving numerous particulars. lt charges
that house owned by one of the commits
sioners is used as an Office by the agent of
the Louisiana State lottery, and that Frank
Hume, ex-president of the Liquor Dealers
Association, is bOndsman of one of the
commissioners 1t therefore prays for
thorough investigation of the facts and for
the proper enforcement Of the law and pro-
lection of homes within the district.
Mr.. Hawley remarked that the petition
Just read was tremendous Indictment and
a shocking revelation, and he suggested that
Colquitt should accompany it with resolu-
tion calling for immediate and severe inves-
tigatiOn.
Mr.. Colquitt said he did not feel it incum-
bent on him to make any suggestion to the
committee. He did not doubt that the COM
mittee would be in full sympathy with any
movement for redress. These fheinous Of
fences would suggest proper measures Of re-
dress.
The petition was referred to the committee
ON the District of Columbia.
Numerous petitions were presented by sew
eral senator's for an amendment of the inter-
nal revenue laws, and were referred to the
committee on finance.
Mr.. Brown offered resolution, which was
adopted, requesting the President to commu-
nicate to the Senate copies of all eorrespon-
dence with the government of Mexico in re-
gard to the seizure and sale of the American
schooner Rebecea, in the port of Tampieo;
also copies of all correspondence between
the State Department and the late Minister
jackson, with Jackson's letter to the Presi-
dent ON the subject Of his resignation.
Mr.. Edmunds gave notice on behalf OF
the committee on foreign relations, that to-
morrow, Immediately after the completion
of strictly morning business he would ask the
Senate to consider the bill respecting the
protection of American fishermen which he
had reported the other day.
Subsequently, however, the Senate agreed
to adjourn over until Monday.
A motion to reconsider the vote to adjourn
over was made and defeated-yeas, 2l; nays,
The Senate then, at 2.15, on motion Of
Mr.. Morgan, went into secret session.
At 524 the Senate adjourned till Monday,
and ten minutes later, in accordance with an
order issued today, the doors were reopened.
HOUSE.
The Interstate commerce bill was passed
today by a vote of 2l9 to A..
Those voting in the negative were as fol-
lows:
Alien Of Massachusetts. Anderson Of Ohio.
Bliss, Boutele. Boyle, Bragg Brumm, Campell Of
Ohio. Caswell, Dibble,. Ely, Evans. FELTON,, Find
lay, Frederick, Gay. Gilhllan, Grosvenor, Hay
am Libby Long, Markham, Martin, McKenna,
Miller, Morrow, Oates, 0'Neill of Pennsylvania,
O'Neill of Missouri, Ranney, Reed of Maine, Rice,
Seymour, Wadsworth, Wait, Weaver OF Iowa,
and White OF Pennsylvania.
The bill, after being enrolled and signed
by the presiding officers of the two Houses,
will be sent to the President for his action.
Mr.. Belmont Of New York offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was referred to the
committee on foreign affairs:
That the President be requested to transmit to
the House copies of such correspondence up to
the present day between this government and the
British government as he may decide can now
properly be made public in regard to the spolia-
tion inflicted IN Canadian ports on American fish
ing vessels having the right TO touch and trade, a
liberty heretofore enjoyed by such vessels, to
enter Canadian ports open to foreign vessels ana
buy and sell and to transmit merchandise therein,
and which is permitted in such ports to American
trading vessels and TO vessels Of all other nation
alities.
The whole afternoon was spent in dis
cussi0n in committee of the whole of two
Senate private bills, one for the relief OF
Sewell Coulson and Porter Harrison and
Fishback, and one for the relief Of Albert
III. Emery, but no final action was taken,
and at 8 o'clock the House took recess
until 730, the evening session to be for the
consideration Of pension bills.